January

Shabbatones

Founded in 2001, the Shabbatones are the student-run Jewish a cappella group at the University of Pennsylvania. One of the premier Jewish a cappella groups in the country, known for their energetic arrangements and entertaining performances.

Specializing in popular American, Israeli and Jewish music, the Shabbatones have performed for a variety of audiences both at Penn and at other venues throughout the country. All of their arrangements are written by group members. Shabbatones members and alumni include undergraduate and graduate students, studying a wide variety of subjects like engineering, psychology, english, and economics. They come from a variety of Jewish backgrounds, unified by a love for Jewish music and a commitment to being the voice of one of the largest and most vibrant Hillels in the nation.

In the ten years since the Shabbatones began, their music has been heard all over the world. During breaks from school the group has gone on tour to California, London, Miami, Houston, and New Orleans. During the year, the group enjoys performing at synagogues, schools, and other venues across the northeast.

The Shabbatones have recorded five CDs; the most recent CD Shabbaholics was released in April 2011. Their fourth CD Friday Night Lights received an honorable mention for the Recorded A Cappella Review Board's best a cappella albums of 2009. They have also had three songs appear on the Best of Jewish A Cappella CD compilation series.

Location: Our residential campus is situated three miles
from center-city Reading, in the scenic Blue Mountain area of Eastern
Pennsylvania.

Enrollment: 3,000 students attend Alvernia including 1,500
traditional undergraduates, 600 continuing education students, and 780
graduate students. Over 77% of first-year students live on campus.

Faculty: Our professors are accomplished scholars, experts in their fields, and supportive mentors. The student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1. Most classes are 20 students or fewer.

Athletics: NCAA Division III, member of the Commonwealth
Conference of the Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation and
member of Eastern College Athletic Conference, 8 men’s and 10 women’s
intercollegiate sports.